MasquerAIDS Committee

Co-chairs: David Jesukiewicz dcj5019@psu.edu
Ariana Papa acp164@psu.edu

MasquerAIDS is a fundraising event produced annually by the Penn State Thespians that raises money for The AIDS Project of Centre and Clinton Counties. For more information about The AIDS Project, please visit www.theaidsproject.com. The purpose of the event is to educate, inform, and raise awareness about AIDS while entertaining the audience with an artistic show. In past years, the show has ranged from plays and musicals to a cabaret of various songs.

Meet the Committee Co-Chairs

Name: David Jesukiewicz
Year: Junior
Major: Theatre
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

MasquerAIDS is an annual benefit through the Penn State Thespians for The AIDS Project of Clinton and Centre Counties. This organization gets all their funding from donations and events such as MasquerAIDS, so that is why this committee is so important. My goal is to create as many possible events to raise money for the organization, as well as create performance and crew opportunities for our members. I really want MasquerAIDS to be a collective collaboration with fellow members as well as Pledges and anyone else interested.

Thespians experience: Inducted Fall 2008; Bishop-Jekyll & Hyde (Main Stage Musical Spring 2008), Stage Manager-The Lorax (Children's Show Spring 2008), Asst. Stage Manager-Once Upon A Mattress (Main Stage Musical Fall 2008), Master Electrician-Amelia Bedilia (Children's Show Fall 2008), Production Manager-MasquerAIDS 2009, Asst. Stage Manager-Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Main Stage Musical Spring 2009), Stage Manager-Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Main Stage Musical Fall 2008); Children's Show Committee, MasquerAIDS Committee, Marketing Committee, Fundraising Committee

Favorite Thespians moment: Arianna Papa telling me stories for many, many hours

Name: Ariana Papa
Year: Sophomore
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Allentown, PA

MasquerAIDS is a benefit performance for The AIDS Project of Clinton and Centre Counties. Its purpose is to generate as much revenue as possible to give to the AIDS Project.  This particular year we have come up with ideas that are both creative and able to achieve much success. My purpose as co-chair is to create a fun environment where committee members become enthusiastic about this particular organization.  I will be there for anyone in the committee whether they have ideas or simply need a person to listen. Overall this committee is wonderful because it allows us to help those who truly need a helping hand. 

Thespians experience:  Inducted Spring '09; MasquerAIDS '09 - Event Coordinator; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Spring '09 - Ensemble; Sweeney Todd Fall '09 - Ensemble

Favorite Thespians moment: Sharing stories with Sam and David the entire night into early morning at Redifer Commons as a timid freshman! :) Oh and anything with my Bangin' Sister!